U.S. patent number 7,417,680 [Application Number 10/301,347] was granted by the patent office on 2008-08-26 for digital video reproduction apparatus and method.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Hitachi, Ltd.. Invention is credited to Morio Aoki, Kazuto Yoneyama.
United States Patent |
7,417,680 |
Aoki , et al. |
August 26, 2008 |
Digital video reproduction apparatus and method
Abstract
The invented apparatus includes a part of measuring the duration
of activation of a select button on its control pad. When the
select button is activated longer than a predetermined period, the
apparatus enters a mode of continuously selecting multiple
thumbnails for selecting a plurality of successive thumbnails.
During this mode, after selecting a range of successive thumbnails
with a cursor positioning mechanism on the control pad, when the
select button is activated, it becomes determinate that the
thumbnails in the selected range be selected and the apparatus
exits the mode of continuously selecting multiple thumbnails.
Inventors: |
Aoki; Morio (Hitachinaka,
JP), Yoneyama; Kazuto (Yokohama, JP) |
Assignee: |
Hitachi, Ltd. (Tokyo,
JP)
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Family
ID: |
19191315 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/301,347 |
Filed: |
November 20, 2002 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20030133032 A1 |
Jul 17, 2003 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Jan 16, 2002 [JP] |
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2002-007286 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
348/333.05;
348/333.01; 348/333.02; 348/333.11; 386/E5.072; 386/E9.013;
386/E9.015; 386/E9.04 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N
1/00387 (20130101); H04N 1/00442 (20130101); H04N
1/00453 (20130101); H04N 1/00461 (20130101); H04N
9/8042 (20130101); H04N 9/8047 (20130101); H04N
9/8227 (20130101); H04N 5/772 (20130101); H04N
2101/00 (20130101); H04N 5/85 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H04N
5/222 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;348/207.99,333.01-333.13 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Other References
DZ-MV100A Hitachi Instruction Manual pp. 104-106, Hitachi Ltd.
Tokyo Japan (2000). cited by other.
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Primary Examiner: Tran; Nhan T
Assistant Examiner: Bemben; Richard M
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Townsend and Townsend and Crew
LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A camera comprising: a thumbnail picture arraying part; a
control pad including a cursor positioning control and a select
button operable for selecting at least one thumbnail from an array
of thumbnail pictures generated by the thumbnail arraying part; a
thumbnail selection control which controls the thumbnail arraying
part and enables selection of the at least one thumbnail picture
according to an output signal from the control pad; a display unit
which displays the array of thumbnail pictures; a timer for
measuring a duration of continuously pressing without releasing of
the select button; wherein, after detecting that the select button
is continuously depressed without releasing for longer than a
predetermined period, the camera enters a mode of continuously
selecting multiple thumbnail pictures, the mode of continuously
selecting multiple thumbnail pictures enabling the camera to
receive selection of a starting cell and an ending cell of
thumbnail pictures after the select button is released, wherein
selection of at least one cell of thumbnail pictures that are
present between the starting cell and the ending cell is received
in response to receiving selection of the starting cell and the
ending cell of thumbnail pictures; and wherein, when the select
button is continuously depressed without releasing for less than
the predetermined period, the camera enters a mode of selecting
single thumbnail pictures to enable selection of thumbnail pictures
one at a time, wherein in the mode of continuously selecting
multiple thumbnail pictures, the starting cell and the ending cell
are selected using the cursor positioning control to designate the
starting cell, the ending cell, and the at least one cell of
thumbnail pictures between the starting cell and the ending cell,
and after designating the starting cell, the ending cell, and the
at least one cell of thumbnail pictures between the starting cell
and the ending cell, releasing the camera from the mode of
continuously selecting multiple thumbnail pictures.
2. A camera according to claim 1 wherein in the mode of selecting
single thumbnail pictures, when the select button is continuously
depressed without releasing for longer than the predetermined
period with the cursor positioned at a selected thumbnail picture,
the camera enters a mode of continuously unselecting thumbnail
pictures for unselecting successive thumbnail pictures that have
been selected.
3. A camera according to claim 1 wherein in the mode of
continuously selecting multiple thumbnail pictures, when the select
button is continuously depressed without releasing for longer than
the predetermined period with the cursor positioned at a selected
thumbnail picture, the camera enters a mode of continuously
unselecting thumbnail pictures for unselecting successive thumbnail
pictures that have been selected.
4. A camera according to claim 2 wherein during the mode of
continuously unselecting thumbnail pictures, after selecting a
range of successive thumbnail pictures by designating starting and
ending cells of thumbnail pictures when the select button is again
continuously depressed without releasing, the selected thumbnail
pictures are unselected and the camera exits the mode of
continuously unselecting thumbnail pictures.
5. A camera according to claim 3 wherein during the mode of
continuously unselecting thumbnail pictures, after selecting a
range of successive thumbnail pictures when the select button is
again continuously depressed without releasing, the selected
thumbnail pictures are unselected and the camera exits the mode of
continuously unselecting thumbnail pictures.
6. A camera according to claim 1 wherein upon designation of the
selected range of thumbnail pictures, the display unit is caused to
display the designated thumbnail pictures in a visually different
manner than undesignated thumbnail pictures.
7. A camera comprising: a reproducing part to reproduce compressed
data of digital video signals and thumbnail data corresponding to
the compressed data stored on a storage medium; a thumbnail
arraying part to generate data for displaying thumbnail pictures in
an array on one screen page using the thumbnail data; a video
signal processor which converts the data for displaying thumbnail
pictures in an array from the thumbnail arraying part into analog
video signals; a display unit which displays the array of thumbnail
pictures using the analog video signals; a control pad including a
cursor position control and a select button operable for selecting
at least one of the thumbnail pictures from the array; an operation
control part coupled to receive requests from the control pad; a
thumbnail selection control part to exert control of thumbnail
selection from the array of thumbnail pictures; a timer for
measuring a duration of continuously pressing without releasing the
select button; and wherein, after detecting that the select button
is continuously depressed without releasing for longer than a
predetermined period, the camera enters a mode of continuously
selecting multiple thumbnail pictures, the mode of continuously
selecting multiple thumbnail pictures enabling the camera to
receive selection of a starting cell and an ending cell of
thumbnail pictures after the select button is released, wherein
selection of at least one cell of thumbnail pictures that are
present between the starting cell and the ending cell is received
in response to receiving selection of the starting cell and the
ending cell of thumbnail pictures; and wherein in the mode of
continuously selecting multiple thumbnail pictures, the starting
cell and the ending cell are selected using the cursor position
control to designate the starting cell, the ending cell, and the at
least one cell of thumbnail pictures between the starting cell and
the ending cell, and after designating the starting cell, the
ending cell and the at least one cell of thumbnail pictures between
the starting cell and the ending cell, releasing the camera from
the mode of continuously selecting multiple thumbnail pictures.
8. A camera according to claim 7 wherein during the mode of
continuously selecting multiple thumbnail pictures, after selecting
a range of successive thumbnail pictures, when the select button is
again continuously depressed without releasing, the selected range
is determined and the camera exits the mode of selecting multiple
thumbnail pictures.
9. A camera according to claim 7 wherein when the select button is
continuously depressed without releasing for longer than a
predetermined period with a cursor positioned at a selected
thumbnail, the camera enters a mode of continuously unselecting
thumbnail pictures to thereby unselect successive thumbnail
pictures previously selected.
10. A camera according to claim 9 wherein during the mode of
continuously unselecting thumbnail pictures, after selecting a
range of successive thumbnail pictures, when the select button is
again continuously depressed without releasing, the selected
thumbnail pictures in the selected range are unselected and the
camera exits the mode of unselecting thumbnail pictures.
11. A camera according to claim 7 wherein upon designation of the
selected range of thumbnail pictures, the display unit is caused to
display the designated thumbnail pictures in a visually different
manner than undesignated thumbnail pictures.
12. A camera comprising: a thumbnail arraying part; a control pad
including a cursor positioning control and a select button operable
for selecting at least one thumbnail from an array of thumbnail
pictures generated by the thumbnail arraying part; a thumbnail
selection control which controls the thumbnail arraying part and
enables selection of the at least one thumbnail picture according
to an output signal from the control pad; a display unit which
displays the array of thumbnail pictures; and a timer for measuring
a duration of continuously depressing without releasing of the
select button; wherein, when detecting that the select button is
depressed, in the event that the timer measures a duration of
continuously depressing without releasing of the select button for
less than a predetermined period, the camera enters a mode of
selecting single thumbnail pictures, which enables selection for
thumbnail pictures, and wherein, when detecting that the select
button is depressed, in the event that the timer measures a
duration of continuously depressing without releasing of the select
button for more than a predetermined period, the camera enters a
mode of continuously selecting multiple thumbnail pictures, the
mode of continuously selecting multiple thumbnail pictures enabling
the camera to receive selection of a starting cell and an ending
cell of thumbnail pictures by using the cursor positioning control
after the select button is released, whereby multiple thumbnail
pictures including the starting cell, the ending cell, and any
cells that are present between the starting cell and the ending
cell are selected, the camera being released from the mode of
continuously selecting multiple thumbnail pictures after the ending
cell is selected.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a digital video reproduction
apparatus and, more particularly, to a reproduction technique
regarding usability of a digital still camera, digital video
camera, and the like, which display a great number of
thumbnails.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
Video recording/reproduction apparatus, which has heretofore been
available commonly, is, for example, a DVD camera. This camera is
equipped with a large-capacity storage medium (a DVD-RAM disk) onto
which digital compressed data of moving or still pictures and
thumbnail data of initially recorded video images corresponding to
the compressed data are stored. An array of thumbnails is displayed
from the stored thumbnail data. When the user selects an objective
thumbnail from the array of thumbnails displayed, moving picture or
still picture data corresponding to the selected thumbnail is
retrieved. Then, the user can reproduce the retrieved moving
picture or still picture or edit it, such as deleting something
from it. The function of retrieving a moving picture or still
picture and editing, using the thumbnails is important in simple
operation.
In the DVD camera or the like of prior art, a method of selecting a
desired thumbnail or thumbnails from the array of thumbnails on
display is as follows. To select a single thumbnail, move the
cursor to a desired thumbnail with the up, down, left, and right
buttons, and the thumbnail at the cursor is selected. Thereafter,
depress a replay button to reproduce its full size picture. To
select a plurality of successive thumbnails, move the cursor to the
first one to select and depress a range select button, and the
camera enters a range select mode. Then, move the cursor to the
last one to select and depress the range select button again, then
a plurality of successive thumbnails in the defined range is
selected. An example of this method is described in the "DZ-MV100"
User's Manual of a DVD camera supplied by Hitachi, Ltd., pp.
102-103.
A thumbnail selecting part according to another prior art is
described in, for example, Kokai (Japanese Unexamined Patent
Publication) No. Hei 10-108122 (No. 108122 of 1998). According to
this technique, a touch panel is used to display an array of
thumbnails, from which one or more thumbnails are selected, using a
touch pen. A single thumbnail is selected by simply touching it. A
plurality of successive thumbnails can be selected by repeating
drag and drop.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
For the above-mentioned DVD camera of prior art, a single thumbnail
can be selected effectively, but a plurality of thumbnails cannot
be selected. To solve this problem, a select button should be
added. After moving the cursor to a desired thumbnail, depress the
select button to select it. By repeating this, a plurality of
thumbnails can be selected. In this case, however, the range select
button is needed to select a plurality of successive thumbnails and
the number of buttons increases. For portable small electronic
equipment such as the DVD camera, increase of the number of buttons
would be regarded as a significant disadvantage.
A problem associated with the above-mentioned technique described
in Kokai No. Hei 10-108122 is increase in the price of a DVD camera
or the like produced, using this technique, because the touch panel
and related function must be added.
It is one object of the present invention to provide a video
reproduction technique that allows for selecting a plurality of
desired thumbnails from an array of thumbnails on display by simple
operation, using an operation control button, without increasing
the number of buttons.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a
low-priced digital video camera with an easy editing feature.
To achieve the foregoing objects of the invention, and in
accordance with a first aspect of the invention, a digital video
reproduction apparatus is provided that comprises a thumbnail
arraying part, a control pad including a select button to be
operated for selecting one or more thumbnails from an array of
thumbnails generated by the thumbnail arraying part, a thumbnail
selection control part which controls the thumbnail arraying part
and selects one or more thumbnails, according to output from the
control pad, a display unit which displays thumbnails, and a part
of measuring duration of button activation to measure the duration
of activation of the select button. When the select button is
activated longer than a predetermined period, the digital video
reproduction apparatus enters a mode of continuously selecting
multiple thumbnails, in which a plurality of successive thumbnails
can be selected.
According to a second aspect of the invention, a digital video
reproduction apparatus is provided that comprises a reproducing
part to reproduce compressed data of digital video signals and
thumbnail data corresponding to the compressed data stored on a
storage medium, a thumbnail arraying part to generate data for
displaying thumbnails in an array on one screen page from the
thumbnail data from the reproducing part, a video signal processor
which converts the data for displaying thumbnails in an array from
the thumbnail arraying part into analog video signals, a display
unit which displays an array of thumbnails from the analog video
signals, a control pad including a select button to be operated for
selecting one or more thumbnails from the array of thumbnails
displayed, an operation control part to handle request from the
control pad, a thumbnail selection control part to exert control of
thumbnail selection from the array of thumbnails under control from
the operation control part, and a part of measuring duration of
button activation to measure the duration of activation of the
select button. When the select button is activated longer than a
predetermined period, the digital video reproduction apparatus
enters the mode of continuously selecting multiple thumbnails, in
which a plurality of successive thumbnails can be selected.
In the first or second aspect of the invention, during the mode of
continuously selecting multiple thumbnails, after selecting a range
of successive thumbnails by setting starting and end cells of
thumbnails, using a cursor positioning mechanism on the control
pad, when the select button is activated again, it becomes
determinate that the thumbnails in the selected range be selected
and the digital video reproduction apparatus exits the mode of
continuously selecting multiple thumbnails. In the first or second
aspect of the invention, when the select button is activated longer
than a predetermined period with a cursor positioned at a selected
thumbnail, the digital video reproduction apparatus enters a mode
of continuously unselecting thumbnails for unselecting successive
thumbnails that have been selected. During the mode of continuously
unselecting thumbnails, after selecting a range of successive
thumbnails by setting starting and end cells of thumbnails, using a
cursor positioning mechanism on the control pad, when the select
button is activated again, it becomes determinate that the selected
thumbnails in the selected range be unselected and the digital
video reproduction apparatus exits the mode of continuously
unselecting thumbnails.
The present invention enables selecting a plurality of successive
thumbnails by simple operation without increasing the number of
buttons. Similarly, the invention enables unselecting a plurality
of successive thumbnails that have been selected.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention
will be apparent from the following more particular description of
preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a digital
video recording/reproduction apparatus according to a preferred
embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 2A shows a front view of the display unit presenting an
exemplary thumbnail selection window according to a preferred
embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2B shows a front view of examples
of buttons to be used for selecting thumbnails, which are part of
the buttons provided on the control pad.
FIG. 3A shows a front view of the display unit presenting an
exemplary thumbnail selection window according to a preferred
embodiment of the invention, wherein successive thumbnails are
selected. FIG. 3B shows a front view of examples of buttons to be
used for selecting thumbnails, which are part of the buttons
provided on the control pad.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an apparatus-internal thumbnail
selection procedure according to a preferred embodiment of the
invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an apparatus-internal procedure
of selecting a single thumbnail according to a preferred embodiment
of the invention.
FIG. 6 illustrates the internal memory contents after a single
thumbnail is selected.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an apparatus-internal procedure
of unselecting a single thumbnail according to a preferred
embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 8 illustrates the internal memory that is empty when a
selected single thumbnail has been unselected.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an apparatus-internal procedure
of continuously selecting thumbnails arranged in successive
order.
FIG. 10 illustrates the internal memory contents at the start of
continuously selecting thumbnails.
FIG. 11 illustrates the internal memory contents at the end of
continuously selecting thumbnails.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an apparatus-internal procedure
of continuously unselecting thumbnails according to a preferred
embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 13 illustrates the internal memory contents at the start of
continuously unselecting thumbnails.
FIG. 14 illustrates the internal memory contents at the end of
continuously unselecting thumbnails.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the following, a preferred embodiment of the present invention
will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings to
illustrate how the invention is carried out.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a digital
video recording/reproduction apparatus according to a preferred
embodiment 1 of the present invention. This embodiment is an
instance of application of the invention to a VDV camera. The
digital video recording/reproduction apparatus (which will be
referred to as the apparatus, hereinafter) illustrated in FIG. 1
comprises the following: a reproducing part 1 to reproduce
compressed data and thumbnail data from a storage medium; a digital
video decompressor 2 to decompress compressed data retrieved from
the storage medium; a video signal processor 3 to perform necessary
steps of signal processing as well as converting decompressed video
data and thumbnail data from which an array of thumbnails is
displayed into analog video signals; a display unit 4 for
displaying video images reproduced from the analog video signals; a
control pad 5 which includes a select button allowing the user to
select a thumbnail or thumbnails from an array of thumbnails
displayed; an operation control part 6 to execute a sequence of
actions in response to user input through the control pad 5; a
thumbnail arraying part 7 to generate data for displaying
thumbnails in an array on one screen page from thumbnail data; a
thumbnail selection control part 8 to exert control of thumbnail
selection from an array of thumbnails generated under control from
the operation control part 6; a part of measuring duration of
button activation 9 to measure the duration of activation
(depression) of the select button present on the control pad 5; an
external storage medium 11 to store digital compressed video data
and thumbnail data; a video signal input interface 12; a video
signal processor 13 to perform necessary steps of signal processing
including converting video signals into digital signals; a digital
video compressor 14 to compress digital video signals into
compressed data; a thumbnail generator 15 to generate thumbnail
data; and a recording part 16 to store compressed video data and
thumbnail data onto the storage medium.
The apparatus displays an array of thumbnails allowing the user to
select a thumbnail or thumbnails from the array, which will be
explained in outline. In response to predetermined operation of the
control pad 5 by the user, thumbnail data is retrieved from the
external storage medium 11 under the control of the operation
control part 6. The thumbnail data is passed through the
reproducing part 1 to the thumbnail arraying part 7. An array of
thumbnails is generated by the thumbnail arraying part 7, passed
through the video signal processor 3 to the display unit 4, and
displayed. When the user performs predetermined operation of the
control pad 5, while viewing the array of thumbnails displayed on
the screen, the operation control part 6 passes control to the
thumbnail selection control part that controls the thumbnail
arraying part 7 and the display of the thumbnails. Thereby, a
single thumbnail or a plurality of thumbnails that are user desired
can be selected. When the user continues to depress the select
button on the control pad 5 for a period (for example, 3 seconds)
the part of measuring duration of button activation 9 determines
that the button is being activated longer than a preset criterion
period (for example, 2 seconds). This puts the apparatus into the
mode of continuously selecting multiple thumbnails, allowing the
user to select a plurality of successive thumbnails. Selecting a
series of thumbnails at a time makes later edit operation easy.
When the apparatus is recording video, analog video signals input
through the video signal input interface 12 are converted into
digital signals and subjected to necessary signal processing by the
video signal processor 13. The digital video compressor 14
compresses the digital signals into compressed data that is, in
turn, stored into the external storage medium 11 by the recording
part 16. The digital signals from the video signal processor 13 are
also supplied to the thumbnail generator 15 where thumbnails of
initially recorded video images are generated as thumbnail data.
Together with the compressed data, the thumbnail data is stored
into the external storage medium 11 by the recording part 16. The
external recording medium 11 has both compressed data store area
and thumbnail data store area so that each type of data can be
recorded or reproduced separately.
Using FIGS. 2 and 3, how to select a thumbnail will be explained
below.
FIG. 2A shows a front view of the display unit presenting an
exemplary thumbnail selection window according to a preferred
embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2B shows a front view of examples
of buttons to be used for selecting thumbnails, which are part of
the buttons provided on the control pad. In this window example
presented on the display unit 4, a single thumbnail is selected,
using the buttons of FIG. 2B.
Referring to FIG. 2A, a user operation procedure of selecting one
thumbnail from an array of thumbnails displayed will be described.
On the window 22 displaying an array of thumbnails, the cursor 24
is initially positioned at thumbnail A 23 surrounded by dotted
lines.
As is shown in FIG. 2B, on the control pad 5, there are the select
button 25 and cursor buttons: up 26, down 27, left 28, and right
29. In this example, thumbnail M 30 is selected (already).
In the present embodiment, as part to indicate a selected
thumbnail, framing the thumbnail with a color frame is performed to
indicate that it is selected (already); for example, like the
selected thumbnail M 30.
By way of example, the procedures for selecting the thumbnail A 23
and unselecting the thumbnail M 30 will be explained. When
selecting the thumbnail A 23 from the array of thumbnails displayed
on the window 22, position the cursor 24 that indicates the target
thumbnail at the thumbnail A 23 as shown. Then, depress the select
button 25 once. When the thumbnail A 23 is selected, it is framed
with a color frame. When the user wants to select another thumbnail
consecutively, move the cursor 24 to a desired thumbnail, using the
up, down, left, and right cursor buttons 26, 27, 28, and 29, and
depress the select button 25. Then, the desired thumbnail is
selected.
To unselect the selected thumbnail M 30, move the cursor to the
thumbnail M and depress the select button once. Then, the thumbnail
M is unselected and the color frame around it disappears.
FIG. 3A shows a front view of the display unit presenting an
exemplary thumbnail selection window according to a preferred
embodiment of the invention, wherein successive thumbnails are
selected. FIG. 3B shows a front view of examples of buttons to be
used for selecting thumbnails, which are part of the buttons
provided on the control pad. In this window example presented on
the display unit 4, a plurality of thumbnails are selected, using
the buttons of FIG. 3B. The components corresponding to those shown
in FIG. 2 are assigned the same reference numbers and their
explanation is not repeated.
FIG. 3A is provided for explaining a user operation procedure of
selecting a plurality of thumbnails from the array of thumbnails
displayed on the window 22. As FIG. 3A shows, assume that the user
selects thumbnail B and successive thumbnails from thumbnail G 32
to thumbnail K 33. FIG. 3B is the same as FIG. 2B and its
explanation is not repeated.
By way of example, the procedure for selecting the thumbnail B and
continuously selecting the thumbnails G 32 through K 33 will be
explained. Because the cursor 24 is now positioned at the thumbnail
A 23, press the right cursor button 29 once to move the cursor 24
to the thumbnail B 31. Depress the select button 25 once, then the
thumbnail B 31 is selected and framed with a color frame as
shown.
Depress the right cursor button 29 once and depress the down cursor
button 27 once to move the cursor 24 to the thumbnail G 32. Next,
depress the select button 25 for a period (for example, 2 seconds).
Then, the apparatus enters the mode of continuously selecting
multiple thumbnails and the selected thumbnail G 32 is fixed as the
start position of selecting successive thumbnails. Further, depress
the right cursor button 29 four times to move the cursor 24 to the
thumbnail K 33 and depress the select button 25 once. Then, the
thumbnails G, H, I, J, K from the G one 32 to the K one 33 are
selected and the apparatus exits the mode of continuously selecting
multiple thumbnails. During the continuously selecting mode, by
making the color of the frames of thumbnails as candidates to be
selected continuously different from the color of the frames of
selected thumbnails, a clear distinction between the selection
candidate thumbnails and the selection fixed thumbnails can be
made.
In an alternative procedure of selecting the successive thumbnails
from the G one 32 to the K one 33, it may be possible to depress
the down cursor button 27 once when the cursor is positioned at the
thumbnail G. This moves the cursor 24 to the thumbnail K 33. Then,
depress the select button 25, and the G and K thumbnails and
in-between thumbnails H, I, and J are selected. Further, depress
the right cursor button 29 twice, then the cursor moves to the
thumbnail M. Depress the select button 25 once, and the thumbnail M
is selected.
Alternatively, the following may be possible. After putting the
apparatus into the continuously selecting mode by depressing the
select button 25 longer than a predetermined period, move the
cursor 24 to the starting cell of thumbnail and depress the select
button. Move the cursor 24 to the end cell of thumbnail and depress
the select button 25. Then, the thumbnails in the range from the
starting cell to the end cell are selected.
By way of example, the procedure for continuously unselecting the
selected thumbnails from the G one 32 to the K one 33 will be
explained. First, move the cursor to the thumbnail G 32 and depress
the select button 25 longer than a predetermined period. Then, the
apparatus changes to the mode of continuously unselecting
thumbnails and the thumbnail G 32 is selected as the starting
position of unselecting successive thumbnails. Move the cursor 24
to the thumbnail K 33 and depress the select button 25 once.
Thereby, the selected successive thumbnails G, H, I, J, and K are
unselected and the apparatus exits the mode of continuously
unselecting thumbnails.
FIGS. 4, 5, 7, 9, and 12 are flowcharts illustrating the processes
to be carried out by the internal part of the apparatus in response
to user action of selecting a single thumbnail or a plurality of
successive thumbnails by operating the buttons shown in FIGS. 2 and
3. The internal part are the part of measuring duration of button
activation 9, operation control part 6, and thumbnail selection
control part 8, one of which executes a particular step of these
flowcharts, and which will be referred to as an internal controller
hereinafter for explanatory purposes. FIGS. 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, and
14 show how the contents of the internal memory (not shown) in
which selected thumbnail data is stored change, according to the
processes.
Using FIGS. 4 through 14, apparatus-internal thumbnail selection
procedures in different phases will be explained below.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an apparatus-internal thumbnail
selection procedure according to a preferred embodiment of the
invention. Referring to FIG. 4, when any button is activated
(depressed) at step 101, in step 101, it is determined whether the
up, down, left, or right cursor button is activated. If any of the
up, down, left, and right cursor buttons 26, 27, 28, and 29 is
activated, the procedure proceeds to step 91 where the internal
controller moves the cursor in the direction of the activated
button. Upon the completion hereof, the procedure returns to the
step 101 for further button activation. If it is determined in the
step 102 that none of the up, down, left, and right cursor buttons
26, 27, 28, and 29 are activated, then, step 103 of determining
whether the select button 25 is activated is executed. If it is
determined in the step 103 that any button other than the select
button 25 and cursor buttons is activated, the procedure proceeds
to step 90 where the internal controller performs action for
another button. Upon the completion hereof, the procedure returns
to the step 101 for further button activation.
If it is determined in the step 103 that the select button 25 is
activated, the internal controller starts the timer for measuring
the duration of select button activation in step 104. In the next
step 105, it is determined whether the time measured by the timer
exceeds a predetermined period, for example, two seconds. If it is
determined in the step 105 that the measured time is within two
seconds, in step 106 it is determined whether the select button 25
is released. Unless the select button is released, the procedure
returns to the step 105. If the select button is released, it is
determined whether a signal thumbnail is selected; that is, in step
107, it is determined whether the thumbnail at the current cursor
position is selected. Two ways to go diverge. If it is determined
that the thumbnail is not selected, the procedure proceeds to step
109 to select the single thumbnail. If it is determined that the
thumbnail is already selected, the procedure proceeds to step 110
to unselect the selected single thumbnail. To select the single
thumbnail, the procedure proceeds from the step 109 to step 113 of
FIG. 5.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an apparatus-internal procedure
of selecting a single thumbnail according to a preferred embodiment
of the invention. When selecting a single thumbnail in the step 109
of FIG. 4, the procedure proceeds to the step 109 of FIG. 5 where
the internal controller, namely, the thumbnail selection control
part 8 stores the data of the user-selected thumbnail into its
internal memory (not shown). In step 114, the internal controller
frames the thumbnail with a color frame to indicate the selected
state of the thumbnail. The procedure returns to the step 101 of
FIG. 4 for further button activation. If the selected thumbnail is,
for example, thumbnail B 31, the data 115 of the selected thumbnail
B is stored into the internal memory in the step 113, as is shown
in FIG. 6.
FIG. 6 illustrates the internal memory contents after a single
thumbnail is selected.
When unselecting an already selected single thumbnail in the step
110 of FIG. 4, the procedure proceeds to the step 116 of FIG.
7.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an apparatus-internal procedure
of unselecting a single thumbnail according to a preferred
embodiment of the invention. When unselecting the selected single
thumbnail in the step 110 of FIG. 4, the procedure proceeds to the
step 116 where the internal controller deletes the data of the
selected thumbnail from the internal memory. In step 117, the
internal controller removes the color frame from the thumbnail to
indicate the deselected state of the thumbnail. The procedure
returns to the step 101 of FIG. 4 for further button activation. In
consequence, the data of thumbnail B stored as shown in FIG. 6 is
deleted and the internal memory becomes empty 118, as is shown in
FIG. 8.
FIG. 8 illustrates the internal memory that is empty when a
selected single thumbnail has been unselected.
In the step 105 of FIG. 4, if the time measured by the timer
exceeds a predetermined period, for example, two seconds, the
procedure proceeds to step 108 of selecting successive thumbnails.
In the step 108, it is determined whether the thumbnail at the
cursor is selected. If the thumbnail is not selected, step 111 is
executed to select thumbnails continuously. If the thumbnail is
selected, the procedure proceeds to step 112 to unselect thumbnails
continuously.
When selecting thumbnails continuously in the step 111 of FIG. 4,
the procedure proceeds to step 119 of FIG. 4.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an apparatus-internal procedure
of continuously selecting thumbnails arranged in successive order.
When the apparatus enters the mode of continuously selecting
multiple thumbnails in the step 111 of FIG. 4, the procedure
proceeds to the step 119 where the internal controller stores the
data of the user-selected thumbnail into the internal memory. In
step 120, the internal controller frames the thumbnail with a color
frame to indicate the selected state of the thumbnail. Instep 121,
the internal controller surrounds the thumbnail color frame
Indicating the selected state with a frame of another color to
indicate operation in the mode of continuously selecting multiple
thumbnails. In step 122, the internal controller awaits button
activation in the mode of continuously selecting multiple
thumbnails. If it is determined in the step 122 that any button is
activated, in step 123 it is determined whether the up, down, left,
or right cursor button or another button is activated. If it is
determined in the step 123 that any of the up, down, left, and
right cursor buttons 26, 27, 28, and 29 is activated, the procedure
proceeds to steps 126, 127, and 128 to determine what cursor button
is activated.
If the down cursor button 27 is activated, after the step 126 where
it is determined that the up cursor button is not activated, in the
step 127 it is determined that the down cursor button is activated.
Then, the procedure proceeds to step 130 in response to the
activated down cursor button. In the step 130, the internal
controller frames successive thumbnails from the first selected one
to a lower one to which the cursor moved with color frames to
indicate the selected states of the thumbnails. Upon the completion
hereof, the procedure returns to the step 122 for further button
activation. If the up cursor button 26 is activated, it is
determined in the step 126 that the up cursor button is activated
and the procedure proceeds to step 129 in response to the activated
up cursor button. In the step 129, the internal controller frames
successive thumbnails from the first selected one to an upper one
to which the cursor moved with color frames to indicate the
selected states of the thumbnails. Upon the completion hereof, the
procedure returns to the step 122 for further button activation. If
the left cursor button 28 is activated, after the steps 126 and 127
where it is respectively determined that the up and down cursor
buttons are not activated, in the step 128 it is determined that
the left cursor button is activated. Then, the procedure proceeds
to step 131 in response to the activated left cursor button. In the
step 131, the internal controller frames successive thumbnails from
the first selected one to a leftward one to which the cursor moved
with color frames to indicate the selected states of the
thumbnails. Upon the completion hereof, the procedure returns to
the step 122 for further button activation. In relation to the step
131, as the cursor moves, next to the leftmost one, the rightmost
one, one row above, is selected. If the right cursor button 29 is
activated, after the steps 126 and 127 where it is respectively
determined that the up and down cursor buttons are not activated,
in the step 128 it is determined that the left cursor button is not
activated. Thus, the procedure proceeds to step 132 in response to
the activated right cursor button. In the step 132, the internal
controller frames successive thumbnails from the first selected one
to a rightward one to which the cursor moved with color frames to
indicate the selected states of the thumbnails. Upon the completion
hereof, the procedure returns to the step 122 for further button
activation. In relation to the step 132, as the cursor moves, next
to the rightmost one, the leftmost one, one row below, is
selected.
If it is determined in the step 123 that none of the up, down,
left, and right cursor buttons 26, 27, 28, and 29 are activated,
the procedure proceeds to step 124 where it is determined whether
the select button 25 is activated. If it is determined in the step
124 that the select button 25 is not activated, the procedure
returns to the step 122 for further button activation. If it is
determined in the step 124 that the select button 25 is activated,
step 125 is executed. In the step 125, the internal controller
frames all thumbnails from selection start to end positions with
color frames to indicate the selected thumbnails, stores their data
into the internal memory, removes the outer color frame indicating
the mode of continuously selecting multiple thumbnails, and exits
this mode. Then, the procedure returns to the step 101 of FIG. 4
for further button activation.
In the following, what is executed in the phase of the step 122 and
subsequent with regard to an illustrative case where thumbnails G
32 through K 33 are selected will be explained. When the cursor
moves from the thumbnail G 32, the start position of selection, to
the thumbnail K 33, one row below, by the activation of any of the
up, down, left, and right cursor buttons 26, 27, 28, and 29, the
range of thumbnails to be selected continuously is set; that is,
the successive thumbnails from the G one 32 to the K one 33 are
framed with color frames that indicate the candidates to be
selected continuously. When the select button 25 is then activated,
the procedure proceeds to the step 124 where it is determined that
the select button is activated, proceeds to the step 125 where
selecting the thumbnails is completed, and returns to the step 101
of FIG. 4 for further button activation.
FIG. 10 illustrates the internal memory contents at the start of
continuously selecting thumbnails. When the thumbnail G 32 is
selected as the start position of continuously selecting multiple
thumbnails, its data 119 is stored into the internal memory managed
by the thumbnail selection control part 8. As shown in FIG. 10, the
data of the thumbnail B has already been stored before storing the
thumbnail G data.
FIG. 11 illustrates the internal memory contents at the end of
continuously selecting thumbnails. When successive thumbnails from
the G one 32 at the start position of continuously selecting
multiple thumbnails to the K one 33 at the end position are
selected, their data 134 is stored into the internal memory.
After the step 112 of FIG. 4 to unselect the selected thumbnails
continuously, the procedure proceeds to step 135 of FIG. 12.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an apparatus-internal procedure
of continuously unselecting thumbnails according to a preferred
embodiment of the invention. After the step 112 where the equipment
entered the mode of unselecting thumbnails that have been selected,
in the step 135, the internal controller deletes the data of the
thumbnail at the cursor from the internal memory. In step 136, the
internal controller removes the color frame around the thumbnail
indicating the selected one. In step 137, the internal controller
surrounds the thumbnail color frame indicating its selected state
with a frame of another color to indicate operation in the mode of
continuously unselecting thumbnails. In step 138, the internal
controller awaits button activation in the mode of continuously
deselecting thumbnails.
What is executed in subsequent steps is essentially the same as is
done in the corresponding steps of FIG. 9, but what is executed in
step 141 differs from that in the step 125 of FIG. 9. Therefore,
detailed explanation of these steps is not repeated. After the step
138, the procedure takes a route through appropriate ones of the
steps 139, 140, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, and 148, and
eventually proceeds to the step 141. In the step 141, the internal
controller removes the color frames from all thumbnails from the
selection start to end positions to indicate their deselected
states, deletes their data from the internal memory, and exits the
mode of continuously unselecting thumbnails. Then, the procedure
returns to the step 101 of FIG. 4 for further button
activation.
FIG. 13 illustrates the internal memory contents at the start of
continuously unselecting thumbnails. As shown, before unselecting
multiple thumbnails that have been selected continuously, the
internal memory contains the data 149 of thumbnails B, G, H, I, J,
K, and M.
FIG. 14 illustrates the internal memory contents at the end of
continuously unselecting thumbnails. At the end of continuously
unselecting thumbnails, the internal memory contains only the data
150 of thumbnails B and M because thumbnails G through K have been
deleted from the memory data as illustrated in FIG. 13.
While the invention embodied in the digital video
recording/reproduction apparatus has been described in this
embodiment; the apparatus of the invention may be a video
reproduction apparatus capable of displaying an array of thumbnails
without the recording function.
While an external storage medium is used in this embodiment, an
internal storage medium may be used.
No matter what digital compression method is applied, of course,
the invention works equally. The scope of the invention includes
the above-mentioned apparatus with the digital video compressor
that is based on any digital compression method such as MPEG, JPEG,
or DVC.
The window contents to be displayed and the names of the buttons on
the control pad are illustrative and other windows and button names
are possible.
While the criterion duration of button activation by which the
internal controller determines whether a single thumbnail or
multiple thumbnails are to be selected is assumed to be two seconds
in this embodiment, of course, the criterion duration may be set
optionally.
The preferred embodiment of the invention has been described on the
assumption that the apparatus has already been equipped with the
start and end buttons for recording/reproduction and the internal
memory to store thumbnail data. Therefore, these common entities
are neither shown in the drawings nor explained.
As described above, according to the invention, the user can select
one or more thumbnails from an array of thumbnails displayed on the
screen by activating one select button in this manner. To select a
single thumbnail, simply depress the button. To select multiple
thumbnails continuously, depress the button longer The invention
allows for selecting thumbnails without the addition of a new
button and dispensing with rather confusing operation with a menu
or the like.
As described above, according to the invention, thumbnails can be
selected continuously without the addition of a new button.
The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without
departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The
present embodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects as
illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention being
indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing
description and all changes which come within the meaning and range
of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced
therein.
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